Brewer with compacting force activation

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in an automatic espresso brewer. The extraction assembly includes components and methods for controllably extracting espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. The components, assemblies, and methods facilitate improved control and operation of the extraction assembly and improve the reliability of the extraction assembly. The brewing substance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. Compacting force is monitored through at least one sensor carried on the extraction assembly to provide a signal to a controller. A predetermined compacting force may be programmed into the system for all brewing cycles or dependent upon the brewing substance used. The pair of pistons operates relative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process. The pistons provide compacting force and boundaries within the chamber and facilitate removal of a spent brewing substance puck at the end of the brewing cycle. Compacting force is monitored at the start of the brewing process and a predetermined force is required before the brewing process can be started. During the brewing process compacting force can be maintained and controllably adjusted. A variety of sensor methods and locations can be used to detect and monitoring compacting force.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/002,326, filed Jan. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,115, which is aU.S. nationalization under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2012/027761, filed Mar. 5, 2012, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/449,459, filed Mar. 4, 2011. The disclosures set forth in thereferenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to beverage brewing systems and in particularbrewing systems which use a charge of brewing substance for use inpressurized brewing. Such pressurized brewing is often referred to as“espresso” brewing. Espresso brewing uses a relatively small charge ofrelatively finely ground coffee or other brewing substance for use in aconfined brewing chamber. The brewing substance is compacted to adesired degree and then infused with pressurized water. Compaction ofthe brewing substance and infusion with the pressurized brewing waterrequires a sealed brewing chamber to facilitate proper brewing.

The beverage product produced in an espresso brewing process is referredto as “espresso.” Espresso tends to be a thicker beverage compared todrip, French press, cone, or other unpressurized brewing processes.Espresso tends to have a higher percentage of solubles and particulatematter and tends to be relatively viscous or “syrupy.” A variety ofespresso brewing machines are available ranging from manual,semi-automatic, to fully automatic. In a manual process an operatorgrinds a quantity of coffee beans for use in the process. The groundcoffee is loaded into a holder device often referred to as a“portafilter.” The portafiler is attached to a pressurized waterdispensing head of the brewer. In this manner the ground coffee iscontained in a closed, sealed space for brewing. The brewer is activatedto controllably deliver pressurized brewing water to the coffeecontained in the portafilter. The operator controls the machine for aselected period of time to produce a quantity of espresso beverage.

Fully automatic machines may include a control interface which allows auser to select a type of bean, quantity of espresso to be produced, andperhaps other characteristics. The fully automatic machine includes beanhoppers which may automatically deliver beans to a grinder and thendispense the ground coffee into a brewing chamber. Infusion with heated,pressurized water is automatically controlled by the machine afteractivation by the operator. At the conclusion of the brewing process apuck of spent, drained but moist, brewing substance is automaticallyremoved from the brewing chamber and passed to a waste collectioncontainer for subsequent removal.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in anautomatic espresso brewer. The extraction assembly includes componentsand methods for controllably extracting espresso beverage from aquantity of brewing substance. The components, assemblies, and methodsfacilitate improved control and operation of the extraction assembly andimprove the reliability of the extraction assembly. The brewingsubstance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. Compactingforce is monitored through at least one sensor carried on the extractionassembly to provide a signal to a controller. A predetermined compactingforce may be programmed into the system for all brewing cycles ordependent upon the brewing substance used. The pair of pistons operatesrelative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process.The pistons provide compacting force and boundaries within the chamberand facilitate removal of a spent brewing substance puck at the end ofthe brewing cycle. Compacting force is monitored at the start of thebrewing process and a predetermined force is required before the brewingprocess can be started. During the brewing process compacting force canbe maintained and controllably adjusted. A variety of sensor methods andlocations can be used to detect and monitoring compacting force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is general diagrammatic illustration of a extraction assembly ofthe present disclosure, the extraction assembly including connections toa water delivery system and a controller, the extraction assembly alsoincluding a frame on which a carriage is controllably driven by a drivemechanism being carried on the carriage relative to the frame, and apair of pistons operative and retained relative to the fixed brewchamber for use in compacting brewing substance retained in a cavity ofthe brewing chamber, introducing water from the heated water system anddispensing an espresso beverage;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration similar to that as shown in FIG. 1in which the extraction assembly is shown in a perspective view,illustrating and describing the structures and functions of theextraction assembly, the extraction assembly being positioned to receivea beverage brewing substance which has been dispensed into the cavity ofthe brew chamber for use in a brewing process;

FIG. 3 is the extraction assembly as shown in FIG. 2 in which a firstpiston has been engaged by movement of the pistons resulting inretaining and compacting brewing substance between the first piston anda second piston, a first and second spring associated with the firstpiston providing relative spring force to facilitate compaction ofbrewing substance and at least one sensor carried on the extractionassembly providing compaction information to the controller;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of a compressible gasketused in the extraction assembly and a corresponding filter and drainpassage associated with the first piston; to prolong the life of thegasket seal, the compression for sealing occurs only when the compactingforce is applied, the gasket seal otherwise rides freely on the innersurface of the brew chamber avoiding abrasion and friction;

FIG. 5 shows the extraction assembly after a brewing operation in whichthe first piston has been displaced upwardly causing a portion of thesecond piston carried in the brew chamber to be displaced upwardly aftercontacting a lower portion of the frame, the brew chamber beingpositioned stationary while the first piston continues to move relativeto the second piston causing a puck of spent brewing substance to bepositioned relative to the upper mouth of the brew chamber for removaltherefrom;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial fragmentary cross sectional view of aportion of a cam structure which is attached at upper and lower portionsof the frame and is generally parallelly aligned with an adjustmentscrew of the assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial fragmentary view of a portion of the camstructure taken from FIG. 5 showing a cam follower positioned in a camslot for coordinating movement of the chute and wiper structure relativeto the brew chamber, the chute facilitating dispensing of ground brewingsubstance into the cavity of the brew chamber at the start of thebrewing process and the wiper facilitating removal of the puck from thechamber and second piston at the end of the brewing process by operationof the cam follower in the cam slot;

FIG. 8 is an extraction assembly as shown in the prior figures in whichthe cam follower acting along the cam slot operates to pivot a wiperrelative to the brew chamber to displace a puck of brewing substanceaway from the chamber for disposal, the attached chute helps to transferthe used puck of brewing substance to the disposal bin; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the limit detectordetecting the limits of movement of the carriage relative to the brewchamber, which would limit the upward travel of the brew chamber to aposition approximately as shown in FIG. 2, the compacting force sensorand the flow meter works in combination as a limit detector detectingthe travel limit of movement of the carriage relative to the brewchamber to a position approximately as shown in FIG. 3.

The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of thedisclosure that is not to be construed as limiting the scope of thedisclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosurewill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration ofthe following detailed description of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A general diagrammatic illustration of an extractor assembly 30 is shownin FIG. 1. The extractor 30 assembly is used to receive a quantity ofbrewing substance, contain the brewing substance during a brewingprocess to extract an espresso beverage, and then dispose of the spentbrewing substance. The extractor assembly includes a frame 34 which iscontrollably movable relative to a generally fixed carriage 38 by drivemechanism 42. A brew chamber 46 is attached to the carriage 38 and arefixed to the housing. The frame 34 by operation of the drive mechanism42 moves relative to the fixed brew chamber assembly. A first piston 52and a second piston 56 operate relative to the brew chamber for usingduring the brewing process. A chute and wiper structure 60 is pivotallyattached to the frame so as to travel along with the brew chamber byoperation of the drive mechanism 42 on the carriage 38. A cam structure62 is attached to the frame 34 at an upper beam 64 and a lower beam 66.A cam follower 68 on the chute/wiper 60 is engaged with a cam slot 70 inthe cam structure 62 (see FIG. 2).

The frame 34 includes the upper and lower beams 64, 66 and a column 72.A lead screw 74 of the drive mechanism 42 is attached to the upper andlower beams 64, 66. While the lead screw 74 may be more appropriatelydefined as part of the drive mechanism, it also provides a structuralcomponent and is attached to other components of the frame 34.

The drive mechanism 42 includes the lead screw 74 and a controllabledrive motor 80. The drive motor is mechanically coupled by way of atransfer assembly 82 such as a pulley and belt combination. Operation ofthe motor 80 and the drive mechanism 82 operates a correspondinglyattached to the drive interface 84. The drive interface 84 is driven bythe drive assembly 82 and is provided with threads which correspond tothe thread structure of the lead screw 74. Transfer of energy from themotor 80 to the drive mechanism 84 causes relative motion of the frame34 to which the drive mechanism 42 is attached along the lead screw 74.

A controller 90 is coupled to the drive motor 80 over line 92. A limitdetector 94 in the form of a limit switch or other switch devicepositioned proximate a portion of the movable frame such as a detectionplate 95 is coupled to the controller 90 over line 96. The limit switchdetects an upper limit 98. Such limits may be in the form of structuralfeatures such as bumps or the protrusions or may be indicia 99, gaps,colors, or magnetic strips or other devices which can be used to detectvarious limits, the sensor 94 along with the flow meter helps indetecting the lower limit 100 of the frame travel. The combination ofthe limits switch 94 and the sensor and flow meter detecting the upperand lower limits 98, 100 is intended to be broadly interpreted. Theselimits provide upper and lower boundaries which will be detected andcommunicated to the controller 90 to limit travel of the movable frame34 and corresponding components upwardly and downwardly relative to thecarriage and the adjustment screw driving therethrough. The location ofthe limit switch 94 may be varied for the best results.

A heated water system 106 controllably provides heated water to theextraction assembly 30. The heated water system is controlled, at leastin part by being coupled to the controller 90 over line 108. The heatedwater system 106 is generally known in the art and may provide a varietyof controllable features to control the amount of water dispensed, thetiming of water dispensing, the temperature of water dispensed, thepressure of the water dispensed, and other features. A dispense line 110is coupled to and communicates with the heated water system 106 todeliver water from the heated water system 106 to the brew chamber 46.

It should be noted that the present disclosure may refer to coffee anespresso in reference to beverage making substance throughout thedescription in the interest of clarity and simplicity. It will beunderstood, however, that any form of beverage making substance may beused to produce a beverage and the term coffee or beverage makingsubstance is intended to be broadly interpreted. This broadinterpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to,beverage substances including but not limited to, coffee, tea, herbs,botanicals, liquid beverage concentrate, ground, pulverized, rough cut,whole, powdered beverage concentrate, flaked, granular, freeze dried orother forms of materials including, but not limited to, liquid, gel,crystal or obtain a beverage or other food product or any other forms ofbeverage substance or food products.

Terms including beverage, brewed, brewing, brewing substance, brewedliquid, and brewed beverage as may be used herein are intended to bebroadly defined as including, but not limited to, the brewing of coffee,tea, and any other beverages. This broad interpretation is also intendedto include, but is not limited to, any process of dispensing, infusing,steeping, aerating, reconstituting, diluting, dissolving, saturating orpassing a liquid through or otherwise mixing or combining a beveragesubstance with a liquid such as water without limitation to thetemperature of such liquid unless specified. While a heated liquid isreferred to herein it should be understood that reference to temperatureis provided by way of illustration and not limitation and should bebroadly interpreted. It should be understood that a beverage may be madeto accommodate a recipe using heated, unheated, chilled or liquid withinany range of temperature. Also, the volume or quantity of the beveragemaking substance used in the system or the beverage produced by thesystem is intended to be broadly interpreted and not limited to that asspecifically disclosed and includes serving sizes ranging from singlecup to multiple cup containers or low volume shots.

With further reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 8, a variety of operatingpositions and conditions for the extraction assembly 30 are shown. InFIG. 2, the extraction assembly 30 is positioned for receiving aquantity of brewing substance 114. As shown in FIG. 2, the brewingsubstance has been dispensed from a grinder through the conical chute 60and through a mouth 116 of the brew chamber 46. As shown, the firstpiston 52 is positioned outside of the brew chamber so as to preventinterference when dispensing ground coffee through the chute 60 and intothe brew chamber 46. The position also may assist in preventingaccumulation of ground coffee on the first piston 52.

As shown, the second piston 56 is positioned in a lower portion 120 ofthe brew chamber. A shoulder 122 is positioned on the lower portion 120of the brew chamber so as to provide an interface between the secondpiston 56 to limit travel of the piston downwardly through the brewchamber. A stem 124 of the second piston extends downwardly through anopening 126 in the bottom of the brew chamber defined by the shoulder122. A sealing gasket 128 is provided between the shoulder and piston soas to prevent leakage there between. Beverage brewing substance 114dispensed into a cavity 130 defined by the inside surface 132 of thewalls 134 of the chamber 46 rests on the upper face 140 of the secondpiston 56. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the frame 34 is in grindingposition allowing transfer of grounds to the brew chamber 46. In oneembodiment the motor 80 is a controllable DC drive motor which can becontrollably operated on, off, or at a variety of intermediate speeds.When not operated, the frame 34 ceases movement along the lead screw 74and sits idle unless operated by the controller 90.

Progressing to FIG. 3, the drive mechanism 42 is operated to move theframe 34 carried on the lead screw downwardly along the brew chamber 46so that the first piston 52 is engaged in the cylindrical cavity 30 ofthe chamber 46. Engagement of the face 142 of the first piston 52against the brewing substance increases the compacting force applied tothe brewing substance 114 in the cavity 130. It should be noted that thesecond piston 56 is carried against the shoulder 122 upwardly in astationary dead stop position. As such, compaction force is drivenagainst the second piston providing sealing of the second piston againstthe shoulder.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, a sealing structure such as acompressible gasket, o-ring or other device 150 is carried in aperimeter annular channel formed on an outside perimeter of the firstpiston 52. The gasket 150 is made of a compressible material. A leadingedge 154 carried on the piston 152 is movable relative to a sleeve 156carried on the outside of the piston. Compaction of the brewingsubstance 114 by the face of the piston 142 causes relative motion ofthe leading edge 54 against the sleeve 156. This relative motion causescompression of the gasket 150 in the annual grove there between.

Compression of the gasket 150 does not occur during the initial movementof the piston 52 into the chamber 46 helping to reduce wear on thegasket and prolong its life. In this regard, a pair of first and secondsprings 170 and 172 are carried on a shaft 174 of the piston. When thepiston 52 is first introduced into the brew chamber by movement of theframe 34, the springs 170, 172 are relaxed and not compressed. As such,there is generally nominal force of the first spring 170 against thesleeve 156. As such, there is little if any compression of the gasket150 outwardly from the annular channel 152. There is nominal engagementbetween the gasket 150 and the inside surface 132 of the walls 134 ofthe brew chamber. This facilitates improved wear characteristics andoperation of the extraction assembly. While there may be some engagementbetween the gasket 150 and the inside surface 132 of the cavity 130,this merely provides a wiping function which may provide improvedsealing when the gasket 150 is compressed.

Further movement of the carriage upwardly causes the slight compressionof the second spring 172, having a lower spring constant, to initiallystart to compress as the face 142 of the piston contact the brewingsubstance. This tends to create a “soft seal” slightly compressing theo-ring. This results in an initial compaction force or packing pressureon the brewing substance. This soft seal and initial packing pressureallows the grains in the ground brewing substance to shift and positionto provide some degree of uniformity in the distribution and compactionof the brewing substance.

Continued movement of the frame down along the lead screw causes furthercompaction and compression of the first spring 170. Compression of thefirst spring 170 creates forces against the sleeve which furthercompresses the gasket 150 which causes the gasket to bulge outwardlyagainst the inside surface of the brew chamber and creates a tighterseal. A packing pressure of approximately 40-50 pounds may be used forthe compaction of the brewing substance 114. The spring constantassociated with each of the two springs 170, 172 can be specified sothat desired compaction force against the brewing substance is achieved.Once the frame 34 is moved downwardly to fully engage the first piston52 to a predetermined packing pressure, water can be dispensed in to thechamber under pressure to start the extraction process.

A sensor or detector 200 is provided on the extraction assembly todetect the conditions of the assembly during the brewing process. Inthis regard, the sensor 200 can be used to detect a variety ofconditions associated with the compaction process just described. Thesensor can be provided in a variety of embodiments such as optical,physical pressure detecting, relative movement, proximity, or othertypes of detectors. Also, the sensor may be positioned in one of severalpositions or multiple sensors may be used to provide difference sensingparameters or multiple sensing parameters to provide redundancy.

As shown in the Figures, a proximity detector 200 is carried on theframe. The proximity detector detects the relative motion of the firstpiston 52. The proximity detector is coupled to the controller over line202. Once a predetermined condition is achieved, the proximity detector200 detects this condition and communicates the information to thecontroller. The controller then stops further operation of the drivemotor 80 thereby stopping movement of the carriage 38. Ceasing operationof the motor 80 ceases movement of the frame 34 thereby creating astopped or parked condition. The stopped position of the frame providesa relatively stable position for the brewing process. The sensor 200 (ormultiple sensors) may be used to continue to monitor the conditionthroughout the brewing process. In this regard, if brewing substanceshifts during the brewing process the change in compacting force can bedetected and the motor 80 can be operated to adjust the frameappropriately. Continued monitoring may be used to improve the qualityand continuity of the brewing process including the potential forshifting or change of the brewing substance or other brewing conditions.

Once the brewing substance 114 appropriately compacted in the brewchamber 46 between the first and second pistons heated water can beintroduced through the inlet lines 220. Heated water enters through thesecond piston 56. A filter structure 222 (see FIG. 4) carried on thefirst piston 52 allows beverage to pass through openings in the filter224 and flow through the drain path 226. Espresso 228 flowing throughthe drain path is moved upwardly through the first piston 52 and outthrough the dispensing line 230. The espresso brewing process operatesusing pressurized water from the heated water system 106. Generally, thepressure is sufficient to drive the espresso beverage upwardly throughthe drain path 226.

The flow meter count is monitored to determine the end of the brewcycle. This signal of the brew cycle completion allows the frame tochange direction of movement along the lead screw 74. As the frame 34moves upwardly, the reverse of the compaction cycle occurs with regardto the first piston 52. The pressure is relieved from the springs 170,172 ultimately allowing decompression of the gasket 150. Thedecompressed gasket allows the first piston to smoothly disengage fromthe inside surface 132 of the brew chamber.

As the frame progressively moves downwardly, the stem 124 of the secondpiston 56 disengages the lower beam 66 of the frame 34. As the framecontinues to travel upwardly, the shaft 124 bottoms out against therecess 240 causing the piston head to disengage from the shoulder 122.Further upward movement of the frame 34 causes relative motion of thepiston 56 in the cavity 130 to move the spent brewing substance or“puck” 246 upwardly towards the mouth 116 of the chamber 46. The puck inthis condition is a somewhat moist relatively drained form of brewingsubstance. Some moisture allows the puck of material to retain thepuck-like shape which facilitates convenience handling. As shown in FIG.5, the piston 56 has been moved to a position generally co-planar withthe mouth 116 of the chamber 46.

At this point, reference is made to the enlarged view of FIG. 7 as takenfrom FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows the cam follower 68 in the cam slot 70 whichhas generally followed a straight line path downwardly along the camplate 62 from a position as previously shown in FIG. 3. At this point,the cam follower travels along an angled portion 248 of the slot causingthe chute/wiper 60 to which the cam follower 60 is attached to pivotabout the pivot point 260. Pivoting of this structure 60 causes a bladeportion 262 to sweep across the face 140 of the second piston 56 therebyejecting or disposing of the puck 246. Blade 262 also tends to wipe orremove material from the face 140, thereby further enhancing thecleaning aspect of the present extractor assembly 30. After the puck 246is ejected, the frame 34 is driven by the motor 80 upwardly to aposition as shown in FIG. 2 which readies the assembly for the next brewcycle.

In use, the extraction assembly 30 starts as shown in a position in FIG.2 to receive brewing substance 114. The frame 34 driven by the drivemechanism 42 travels downwardly along the lead screw 74 so that thefirst piston 52 engages and starts to compact the brewing substance 114against the second piston 56. As described, multiple springs 170, 172are provided and associated with the first piston 52 to provide a sealby slightly compressing the gasket 150 between the sleeve and piston'shead. The compression of the gasket 150 causes it to bulge slightlyoutwardly to form a tighter seal between the compressed gasket and theinside surface 132 of the chamber.

At a predetermined level of compaction force, the sensor 200communicates with the controller 90 to stop operation of the motor 80thereby stopping movement and compression or compaction of the brewingsubstance 114. After the sensor indicates that the compaction is at apredetermined level and movement of the frame 34 should stop, the heatedwater system 106 is controlled to dispense water through line 110 to thechamber 46.

As an additional matter, the chamber 46 can be provided with a heatingelement 300 which can be coupled to the controller 90 over line 302. Theheating element 300 can be wrapped on the outside of the chamber,embedded in the chamber or otherwise associated with the chamber so asto provide controllable heating energy if needed to the material of thechamber wall 134. The ability to provide controlled heat to the chamberhelps to maintain the temperature of the brewing process and preventdissipation of the heat from the heated water. Controlled heating may beuseful to help maintain a predetermined preferred brewing temperature.If the characteristics of chamber 46 are such that heat energy in thewater would transfer to the wall material 134, it may reduce thetemperature of the water to an undesired level thereby altering theexpected brewing characteristics. As a result, additional heat can becontrollably provided to maintain the chamber wall 134 at a desiredtemperature to prevent this heat transfer.

As the water flows through line 110 into the cavity 130 filled by thecompressed brewing substance 114, a brewing process occurs oftenreferred to as “espresso brewing”. The espresso beverage is filteredthrough the filter structure carried on the first piston 52 and flowsthrough the drain passages for dispensing from the dispense line 230.

In the upwardly most or “home position”, a limit switch or sensor 94operates (see FIG. 9) to prevent over travel of the frame throughout thebrewing process. In the downwardly most or brewing position, thecompacting sensor, and flow meter signals prevents over travel of theframe throughout the brewing process.

While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment indifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will bedescribed in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the presentdescription is to be considered an exemplification of the principles ofthe disclosure and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings.

While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplaryembodiment, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses,or adaptations using its general principles. It is envisioned that thoseskilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalentswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as recitedin the following claims. Further, this application is intended to coversuch departures from the present disclosure as come within the known orcustomary practice within the art to which it pertains.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A beverage extraction assembly for use witha brewing machine, the extraction assembly including: a brew chamberpositioned on a carriage with a controllably movable frame positionedfor movement relative to the carriage; a first piston retained on aportion of the frame moves relative to the brew chamber for insertioninto and removal from the brew chamber during a brewing process; asecond piston carried on the brew chamber and displaceable against aportion of the frame during the brewing process to remove beveragebrewing substance at the end of a brewing process, the second pistonpositioned in the brew chamber in opposition to the first piston,brewing substance dispensed into the brew chamber being compressedbetween the first and second pistons; a controller for controlling theoperation of the beverage extraction assembly; a sensor carried on theextraction assembly operatively associated with at least one of thepistons and coupled to the controller, the sensor detecting a compactioncharacteristic associated with compacting brewing substance forfacilitating compacting brewing substance to within at least apredetermined range of level of compaction; a drive mechanismoperatively connected to the carriage and coupled to the controller forcontrollably positioning the movable frame and the first piston relativeto the brew chamber; and a wiper coupled to the carriage, the wiperincluding a blade and a cam coupled to the blade, the frame formed toinclude a slot, and the cam being received in the slot such thatmovement of the carriage away from the first piston causes movement ofthe wiper to remove used brewing substance from the second piston usingthe blade, wherein the extraction assembly controllably operating tocompress the brewing substance in the brewing chamber between the firstand second pistons to a predetermined range of level of compactionbefore initiating the brew extraction process, the controller operatingthe drive mechanism to displace the first piston relative to the brewchamber to achieve the predetermined range of level of compaction. 2.The extract assembly of claim 1, further comprising the controllermonitoring the compaction characteristic detected by the sensor duringthe brew process to determine whether the compaction characteristicdetected is within the at least a predetermined range of level ofcompaction and facilitating an adjustment of the extraction assembly toadjust the compaction characteristic by increasing or decreasing thecompaction force to maintain a compaction of the brewing substancebetween the first and second pistons to within a predetermined range oflevel of compaction.
 3. A brewer including an extraction assemblycomprising, a frame controllably coupled to a lead screw; a brew chamberon the frame controllably receiving a first piston retained on a portionof the frame relative for insertion into and removal from the brewchamber during a brewing process, a second piston carried on the brewchamber and controllably displaceable against a portion of the frameduring the brewing process to remove beverage brewing substance at theend of a brewing process, the second piston being positioned inopposition to the first piston, brewing substance controllably dispensedinto the brew chamber being compressed between the first and secondpistons; a sensor carried on the extraction assembly operativelyassociated with at least one of the pistons and coupled to a controller,the sensor detecting a compaction characteristic associated withcompacting brewing substance between the first piston and the secondpiston prior to an extraction portion of a brewing process forfacilitating compacting brewing substance to within at least apredetermined level of a range of level of compaction; the controllerfor controlling the operation of the beverage extraction assembly; adrive mechanism associated with the carriage and coupled to thecontroller for controllable positioning the movable frame and the firstpiston relative to the brew chamber cavity; and a wiper coupled to thecarriage, the wiper including a blade and a cam coupled to the blade,the frame formed to include a slot, and the cam being received in theslot such that movement of the carriage away from the first pistoncauses movement of the wiper to remove used brewing substance from thesecond piston using the blade, wherein the extraction assembly beingcontrollably operated during a brewing process to compact the brewingsubstance in the brew chamber between the first and second pistons to apredetermined range of level of compaction before initiating the brewextraction process, the controller controllably operating the drivemechanism to displace the first piston attached to the frame relative tothe brew chamber to achieve the predetermined compaction between thefirst and second pistons.
 4. The beverage extraction assembly for usewith a brewing machine of claim 1 further comprising: the controllermonitoring the compacting characteristic with the sensor at least onetime during the brewing process and; the controller adjusting thecompacting characteristic on the brewing substance retained between thefirst and second pistons if the monitored compacting characteristicduring the brewing process is outside of a predetermined range of levelof compaction.
 5. The brewer including an extraction assembly of claim 3further comprising: the controller monitoring the compactingcharacteristic with the sensor at least one time during the brewingprocess, and the controller adjusting the compacting characteristic onthe brewing substance retained between the first and second pistons ifthe monitored compacting characteristic during the brewing process isoutside of a predetermined range of level of compaction.